Property owners will see a two-cent hike in Harpswell’s tax rate this year, from $6.74 to $6.76 per $1,000 of valuation.
The board of selectmen approved the 2021-22 rate in a 3-0 vote on Thursday, Aug. 5.
Tax bills will go out no later than Friday, Aug. 13, according to Assessing Agent Debora Turner.
Changes in the tax rate from year to year reflect a variety of factors beyond town expenses: the town’s contribution to Maine School Administrative District 75; the tax the town pays to Cumberland County; the town’s total valuation, which rises with new construction; the amount of money the town receives from the state; and other local revenues, like excise taxes on vehicles.
Town government expenses total $5,688,103 this year, an increase of $341,985 or 6.4%. The bill from MSAD 75 is $8,672,916, down $43,561 or 0.5%. The county tax is $1,347,176, up $17,478 or 1.3%. Property taxpayers will benefit from higher receipts of non-property-tax revenue, at $2,810,500, up $84,852 or 3.1%.
